The Newest Member (A Naruto-Akatsuki Fanfic)

Chapter 34: Not The Man He Once Was

Naruto ran across the complex, the agonizing screams of his comrade Sasori like a beacon to him. Hinata and Hidan went to help heal and rescue injured and trapped monks from beneath rubble or scattered across the ruined dormitories. Naruto needed to work, he needed to be preoccupied from the thoughts and screams that plagued his minds. Konan's tears, Nagato's pale eyes and the pool of blood beneath them all too vivid in his mind. The simple act of lifting bricks and clasping frightened hands was the only therapy Naruto had to keep him sane. He pulled a injured monk from the rubble, her face cut and bruised from the past battle. She coughed and bowed to him, giving her thanks before running off to her brethren. It was then that Naruto heard Sasori's screams for help.

He ran, his mind filling with worry 'Why can I only sense Sasori's chakra ? Where is Deidara !?"

Jumping through a crooked archway, Naruto bounded onto the main courtyard, It's hay and stone singed black from the explosions and fire that had consumed it only minutes before. Amiss the smoke and flames, Naruto could see the faint shape of his friend, curled over something. As Naruto got closer the smell of blood and burned flesh became pungent. Naruto swiped away the smoke and took a knee next to Sasori, just when he had preoccupied his mind from the death and despair.

Sasori was holding a blood stained doll. It was made of clay and featured a variety of strings and pulley systems which allowed it to move freely when Chakra was applied. Deidara had made it whilst making his final animals, knowing all to well his death was near. The puppet stood a meter high and had a long pony tail with a clay fringe covering one eye. The tiny mimic of Deidara was splashed with its creators blood, as if the death of Deidara passed life into his creation. Sasori did not look up, Naruto knew what had become of Deidara, instead all he did was stand and pull Naruto in close. Burying his head in his shoulder and coldly speaking

"He's gone Naruto ... He's gone and I can't even cry ...I hate being like this"

Naruto brushed his hair, his mind filling again "We cry because it's a bodily reaction ...despair and sadness is something everyone can feel"

Sasori's voice grew rough like gravel "It's all because of that fucking Itachi ... He survived the blast and was carried away by Kakuzu"

Naruto nodded, he knew the same pain Sasori felt "I know ... Sasuke got away too ... without his eyes thankfully"

Sasori cocked an eyebrow "You blinded him ?"

Naruto lightly smiled, it felt fake "I've got some Sharingan on my boot if you wanna see ?"

Sasori smiled, turning away and speaking lowly "I'm sorry ... About Nagato. I felt his chakra fade and disappear, he was a true leader til the end"

He tensed, holding back any despair that burrowed inside his heart "Yeah ...H..He's gone now ... Sasori, I need you help"

Sasori patted his shoulder and nodded "Anything for you ... What do you need help with ?"

Naruto pointed to his eyes "Orochimaru is not expected to arrive for a few hours ... I need you to transplant the Rinnegan into me"

"The Rinnegan ... You wish to inherit Nagato's power ?"

Naruto nodded "It was Nagato's last wish before he passed on ... you are the only one who can do it. The eyes aren't meant to last long without a user"